DOHA- An Australian couple described a distressing experience aboard a Qatar Airways (QR) when there was an in-flight death of a passenger, which was placed next to them.
Despite empty seats being available, the airline did not offer an alternative arrangement, leaving the couple shocked and calling for improved protocols in such situations.
Qatar Airways issued a statement apologizing for the incident and stated that it was reaching out to affected passengers.
However, the couple said they had not received any support from either Qatar Airways (QR) or Qantas (QF), through which they booked their tickets.
Photo: Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways In-Flight Death
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were traveling from Melbourne (MEL) to Doha (DOH) en route to Venice (VCE) when a fellow passenger collapsed in the aisle beside them. Despite swift action from the cabin crew, the woman could not be revived.
Following her death, the crew attempted to move her body towards business class. However, due to her size and the aisle’s width, they were unable to do so.
Instead, they placed the body in a seat next to Mr. Ring and covered it with blankets.
Mr. Ring, who was seated next to the woman before she passed, was asked to move over, and he complied.
His partner, Ms. Colin, managed to relocate to another seat, but Mr. Ring was not given the option to move, even though vacant seats were available. The body remained next to him for the remainder of the four hour journey.
Photo: By Riik@mctr – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96292445Passenger Concerns Over Handling the Situation
Upon arrival, passengers were instructed to remain seated while medical staff and law enforcement boarded the aircraft.
Mr. Ring recounted seeing the woman’s face as emergency personnel removed the blankets.
The couple emphasized the need for airlines to have clear procedures to care for passengers in similar circumstances.
They expressed disappointment that neither Qatar Airways nor Qantas had reached out to offer support following the distressing event.
“We understand the airline isn’t responsible for the woman’s passing, but there should be a protocol in place to look after passengers,” Ms. Colin said.
In response, Qatar Airways extended condolences to the deceased passenger’s family and apologized for any distress caused to others on board.
The airline confirmed it was in the process of contacting affected passengers.
Qantas (QF), the airline through which the couple booked their tickets, clarified that Qatar Airways, as the operating airline, was responsible for managing in-flight incidents.
Industry experts note that handling medical emergencies and deaths on flights can be complex, and protocols vary between airlines.
Some carriers relocate deceased passengers to an empty row or business class, while others place them in their original seat if no alternatives are available.
Photo: Clément AlloingBottom Line
The incident highlights the need for airlines to enhance procedures for managing such sensitive situations.
Passengers affected by traumatic events should be provided with appropriate support, including follow-up communication and counseling resources.
Mr. Ring and Ms. Colin stressed that airlines must implement a duty of care to ensure affected travelers receive adequate assistance.
“Passengers in these situations should be contacted and offered support. It’s a matter of basic care,” Mr. Ring said.
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The post Qatar Airways Criticized for Handling In-Flight Passenger Death appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
